PFL Africa to Kick Off Historic Card, Streaming Exclusively on the PFL App in the U.S on July 19 Beginning at 10 am EST

Headlined by World Title Fight Featuring Middleweight Champ Johnny Eblen vs. Spain’s Costello van Steenis, With Undefeated Flyweight Star Dakota Ditcheva vs. Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba in the Co-Main Event

First Time Ever. Global MMA. Africa.

 

 

NEW YORK (July 14, 2025) -The Professional Fighters League (PFL) today announced that the PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town portion of its historic event on July 19 will stream live and exclusively in the United States on ESPN+. 

Meanwhile, the PFL Africa segment will stream live and free exclusively on the PFL App in the U.S.

Taking place at the Grand Arena, GrandWest in Cape Town, South Africa, the event marks a historic debut for major MMA on the continent and serves as the official launch of PFL Africa, the PFL’s third international league.

“The debut of PFL Africa marks a historic milestone in the global evolution of mixed martial arts,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. “We’re proud to deliver this groundbreaking event to fans worldwide, and to showcase the PFL Champions Series live in the U.S. on ESPN+. As we continue our global expansion, fans in the U.S. can catch all the action from PFL Africa exclusively on the PFL App, the official home of international PFL competition.”

The action kicks off on the PFL App at 10:00 AM EST with PFL Africa’s First Round matchups in the Heavyweight and Bantamweight tournaments. 

At 2:00 PM EST, five high-stakes PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town bouts stream on ESPN+, headlined by a Middleweight World Title fight between undefeated champion Johnny Eblen (16-0) and Spain’s Costello van Steenis (16-3). In the co-main event, undefeated Flyweight superstar Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) takes on Hawaii’s Sumiko Inaba (8-1).

In addition, former Bellator Featherweight World Champion AJ “Mercenary” McKee (22-2) returns at 145-pounds to face Russian standout Akhmed Magomedov (11-1). In a Heavyweight Showcase, Light Heavyweight Champion Corey Anderson (18-6) moves up to meet 2024 PFL Heavyweight Champion Denis Goltsov (36-8). Meanwhile, Artur Zaynukov (16-4) faces Japan’s Takeshi Izumi (6-3) in a compelling Lightweight battle.

 

 

Complete PFL Champions Series Road to Dubai: Cape Town Card:

ESPN+ (U.S.)

Saturday, July 19 - 2:00 PM EST

Middleweight World Championship Main Event: Johnny Eblen (16-0) vs. Costello van Steenis (16-3)

Women’s Flyweight Co-Main Event: Dakota Ditcheva (14-0) vs. Sumiko Inaba (8-1)

Featherweight Showcase Bout: AJ McKee (22-2) vs. Akhmed Magomedov (11-1)

Lightweight Showcase Bout: Artur Zaynukov (16-4) vs. Takeshi Izumi (6-3)

Heavyweight Showcase Bout: Corey Anderson (18-6) vs. Denis Goltsov (36-8)

 

Complete PFL Africa Card:

PFL App (U.S.) 

Saturday, July 19 - 10:00 AM EST

Bantamweight First Round Bout: Nkosi Ndebele (8-3) vs. Mahmoud Atef (5-2)

Heavyweight First Round Bout Maxwell Djantou Nana (6-1) vs. Mikael Groguhe (6-2)

Bantamweight First Round Bout: Shannon Van Tonder (7-2) vs. Boule Godogo (3-0)

Heavyweight First Round Bout: Jashell Ticha Awa (3-1) vs. Justin Clarke (2-0)

Bantamweight First Round Bout: Asiashu Tshitamba (6-4) vs. Karim Henniene (4-0)

Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abdoulaye Kane (3-0) vs. Joffie Houlton (7-4)

Bantamweight First Round Bout: Simbarashe Hokonya (5-0) vs. Frans Mlambo (15-6)

Heavyweight First Round Bout: Abraham Bably (5-2) vs. Paul-Emmanuel Gnaze (8-5)

Showcase Women’s Strawweight Bout: Juliet Ukah (6-0) vs. Ceileigh Niedermayr (3-2) 

 

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